Not only, surely, on the earth The bells of Christmas tell His birth -- The joy of Christmas must be given To those who know the joy of heaven. And so, I think, they gather 'round His throne to-night, and cymbals sound; For I have heard upon the air The Christmas laughter over there. I think He does not care for praise, The splendor of His Christmas Days -- No, for another, sweeter, reason, That heaven has its Christmas season. For over there our little ones, Our lovely daughters, sturdy sons, In heaven itself would surely grieve Without their cherished Christmas Eve. What great men's souls may walk the street Of heaven before the judgment seat, What aged saints what crowns may wear Of holy glory over there, That street to-night another throng Has filled, and filled that street with song; I know on heaven's streets of white That Christmas night is children's night. And, though a broken circle here Makes Christmas sad, and doubly dear, We know that Christ has not denied The little children at His side. For sometimes when the night is long I think I hear a Christmas song, Yes, I have heard one special voice That made me hunger and rejoice. To-night we need no Christmas tree; But up in heaven there must be Music and laughter, song and star -- Christmas wherever children are. |